Feature: The Show Must Eurovision – A Celebration of Musical Theatre Eurovision Song Contest Stars – Part Two
A further selection of UK stars of Eurovision who have also entered the world of Musical Theatre.
By: Adam Robinson May. 10, 2023
In Part One we discussed some of the modern UK connected Musical Theatre Eurovision stars, but let's go back to the 90's where there was an exceptional run from 1991 to 1994 of stage steppers.
Samantha Womack (née Janus)
Growing up in a family of performers, Womack attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School. She competed and won A Song For Europe in 1991 with A Message to Your Heart. Coming 10th at Eurovision in Rome. Two years later she replaced Debbie Gibson as Sandy in the West End revival of Grease. Then returning to the West End at the Piccadilly Theatre as Miss Adelaide in the West End revival of Guys and Dolls. Other lead roles include Nellie in South Pacific at the Barbican Theatre, and Morticia Adams in the UK tour of Addams Family the Musical. On 8 May 2023 she performed her Eurovision entry for the first time on stage since 1991 at the EuroClub after party.
When you think of West End musical theatre legends, few can match the career of Michael Ball. His West End debut was in 1985 after Cameron Mackintosh cast him to originate the role of Marius in the opening London cast of Les Misérables. This was followed by Raoul in the second casting of The Phantom of the Opera after the original cast transferred to Broadway. In 1989 Ball starred as Alex in, future Eurovision songwriter and performer, Andrew Lloyd Webber's Aspects of Love. And also took the role to Broadway. It was then he became a household name after charting at number two in the UK Singles Chart with a song from that musical called Love Changes Everything.
After selecting Ball as the UK artist, the BBC decided to change the format used since 1976 of their 1992 national final A Song for Europe. In a televised show he performed eight potential songs. One Step Out of Time received the most votes and was sent to Malmö, finishing second, sixteen points behind the winner Linda Martin from Ireland.
After winning an Oliver Award in 2008 for playing Edna Turnblad in Hairpray, Ball won his second Olivier Award as the title role in the 2013 revival of Sweeney Todd. In one of the greatest crossover moments of Eurovision and musical theatre, Ball surprised the audience of West End Eurovision by joining his fellow cast of Sweeney Todd who had entered with One Step Out Of Time. Matthew Gent was performing a perfect impersonation of Ball in the 1992 number, before Michael Ball walked up from behind, dramatically slit his throat Sweeney Todd style, and finished the number in lead vocal. Even bringing Imelda Staunton, who played Mrs. Lovett in the revival, on stage to take Gent's body off stage. They went on to win the contest that night. In the 2015 Birthday Honours, Ball was appointed an OBE for his services to musical theatre.
Sonia
Liverpool legend Sonia will play a major role in her city hosting Eurovision 2023. Including a performance at the final, and various events leading up to it. Following the success of Michael Ball the previous year, the BBC chose to stick with the same format in 1993 for A Song For Europe. Sonia had major success in the 80's with the Hit Factory producers Stock, Aitken and Pete Waterman, who himself went on to produce the 2010 UK Eurovision entry. She was given eight songs to sing on the night, with Better the Devil You Know gaining the highest score. At Eurovision Sonia finished second after Ireland, just as Ball did in 1992. Sonia went on to star in the West End revival of Grease, the same production Eurovision 1991 enrty Samantha Womack joined, keeping her legendary red hair while playing the lead Sandy.
1993 saw the BBC again internally selecting an artist and giving the nation a chance to pick A Song For Europe. Frances Ruffelle was that star, having major previous musical theatre experience including Starlight Express. She starred alongside Eurovision 1992 entry Michael Ball in the West End original cast of Les Misérables. Winning a Tony Award on Broadway for her portrayal of Éponine. Ruffelle came 10th in Dublin with the song Lonely Symphony. A lustrous stage career continued with iconic roles such as Roxie Hart in Chicago, Candy in Whistle Down the Wind, and Piaf in Pam Gem's PIAF.
Photo Credit: Corinne Cumming / EBU
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